Unipolarity and Its Consequences - Liberal Leviathan: The Origins, Crisis, and Transformation of the American World Order - page 103

Table 4-1
Two Logics of Unipolar Governance
Hub-and-Spoke Bilateralism
Unipolar state builds an array of bilateral relationships with weaker states, each operating as a patron-
client relationship<m->or “special relationship”<m->where specific deals, patronage relations, and un-
derstandings prevail.
Advantages of bilateralism for the unipolar state:
1- The divide-and-rule approach undercuts the rise of “trade union” of weak states.
2- It frees the unipolar state from multilateral rules and binding commitments and increases its free-
dom and flexibility of action.
3- Unipolar power can be more directly employable to gain favorable outcomes. It is easier to reward
and punish other states.
4- Unipolarity creates opportunities for weak states to free ride on the lead state. By making security
and economic relations divisible, bilateralism provides opportunities for the unipolar state to share
and redistribute costs.
Multilateral Rule-based Order
Unipolar state operates with a set of multilateral rules and institutions that establishes obligations and
commitments for both it and weak states.
Advantages of multilateralism for the unipolar state:
1- It reduces transaction costs. Diffuse reciprocity is more efficient in cooperative state actions than
bilateral bargaining.
2- It enhances the legitimacy of the unipolar state. Weaker states are more likely to engage rather
than resist the policies of the lead state.
3- It s an investment in the future. Rules and institutions can provide favorable order after unipolar
power declines.
4- It confers domestic political advantages. Rule-based order comports with liberal polity self-iden-
tity and reduces political costs of unipolar governance.
In some ways, the shift to unipolarity generates incentives for hub-and-spoke bilateralism
on a global scale. Rather than be bound to multilateral frameworks, the unipolar state might
want to consider forging an expanding array of patron-client and special relationships around
the world. Countries that cooperate with the United States and accept its leadership receive
special bilateral security and economic compensation. 47 Several features of unipolarity sug-